Concrete insert

ABSTRACT

A pair of substantially identical formed metal members are interconnected to form a hollow rectangular body having pairs of outwardly extending ears associated with each opposed end of the rectangular body. The ears include holes for receiving fasteners for fixedly mounting the body on a concrete form. The end portions of the rectangular body include female coupling means of varying size adapted to alternatively receive and hold threaded or unthreaded pin means.

United States Patent Miller [54] CONCRETE INSERT [72] Inventor: HermanC. Miller, Route 2, Box

2220, Gig Harbor, Wash. 98335 [22] Filed: July 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.258,286

[52] US. Cl. ..52/699, 52/704, 52/708,

220/D1G. 25 [51] Int. Cl. ..E04b 1/41 [58] Field of Search ..52/698-701,704,

52/707-709; l5 l/4l.7; 85/36; 220/34, 4 A, 4 E, DIG. 25; 229/23 BT [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,788,151 4/1957 Shore ..220/3.4928,251 7/1909 Dorff ..220/4 A 3,523,299 8/1970 Tinnermann ..85/362,435,355 2/1948 Ingram, Sr. ..229/23 BT 2,999,611 9/1961 Paulson..220/4 E 1,041,220 10/1912 Wyatt et al. ..220/4 1,909,136 5/1933Thomas, Jr. ..220/DIG. 25 2,133,134 10/1938 Davis ..52/708 923,1886/1909 Kneas ..52/708 [451 Sept. 26, 1972 1,201,540 10/1916 Banes..52/708 3,073,107 1/1963 Haydon ..85/36 2,877,242 5/1959 Suarez Grau..220/4 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 597,104 l/1948 Great Britainl5 l/4l.7 1,253,068 12/1960 France ..220/4 E 1,274,229 9/1961 France..220/DIG. 25 986,784 11/1969 Canada ..52/161 Primary Examiner-Frank L.Abbott Assistant Examiner-Leslie A. Braun Attorney Graybeal, Barnard,Uhlir & Hughes [57] ABSTRACT A pair of substantially identical formedmetal members are interconnected to form a hollow rectangular bodyhaving pairs of outwardly extending ears associated with each opposedend of the rectangular body. The ears include holes for receivingfasteners for fixedly mounting the body on a concrete form. The endportions of the rectangular body include female coupling means ofvarying size adapted to alternative- 1y receive and hold threaded orunthreaded pin means.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures CONCRETE INSERT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONEven more specifically, this invention relates to a l concrete insertwhich remains anchored in the concrete floor after the form is removedsuch that one end having an opening adapted to receive and hold pinsmeans is exposed.

2. Description of the Prior Art concrete A building technique currentlywidely employed in the construction of multi-story buildings includesthe pouring of concrete floors between each story. The bottom surfacesof these poured concrete floors may themselves define the ceiling of thenext lower story, or support-a so-called false ceiling hanging adistance therebelow. It is desirable in this type of construction toprovide anchor means, commonly called concrete inserts, in the bottomsurface of the poured concrete floors. These concrete inserts include acoupling means which is adapted to receive and hold downwardly dependinglight fixtures, ceiling supports, pins or other connecting means.

Concrete inserts must be mounted on the concrete floor form prior topouring of the concrete, and often prior to final installation ofelectrical or plumbing fixtures. It is desirable, therefore, that theconcrete inserts have alow profile and include a strong means for beingfastened to the form to prevent their being overturned or displaced byother workers prior to pouring of the concrete, or during the pouring ofthe concrete itself.

The ceiling anchor points provided by concrete inserts are usedby pipefitters, electricians and sheet metal workers, all of whom may useconnecting means of varying size. It is desirable, therefore, thatconcrete inserts having various sized coupling means be provided, or, toreduce necessary inventory, that concrete inserts adapted to receive andhold more than one sized downwardly depending pin be provided.

Known concrete inserts, such as that disclosed in McNair, U.S. Pat. No.3,405,497, are undesirably high and thus easily displaced on theconcrete form, and are further composed of a substantial number of partswhich make the manufacture thereof relatively expensive. The concreteinsert of Phillips, U.S. Pat. No.

2,096,062, presents a solution to the problem of displacement on theconcrete form which necessitates a two-step installation process. Thedesign of the concrete insert of Dippel, U.S. Pat. No. 1,218,378, is

' again relatively complicated and thus would be rather expensive tomanufacture. Further, all of the inserts disclosed in the above patentsprovide. only a single female coupling and thus are adapted to receiveand hold pin means of only one size.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises aconcrete insert formed from a pair of substantially identical metalpieces which are interconnected to form a low profile rectangular bodyhaving ears extending outwardly from adjacent the end portions of thebody. The identical metal members may be held together by a system ofslots and cooperating tabs. The opposite ends of the rectangular bodyeach include a female coupling which may be either of the threaded orpush-nut type, and which is complete in itself and requires no adapterplug or nut. The size of the coupling on each end of the body may vary.The outwardly extending ears include hole portions such that the bottomears are adapted to receive fastening means for mounting the concreteinsert securely on a form prior to pouring a concrete floor. The earsadjacent the top end of the mounted concrete insert act as anchors inthe hardened concrete to prevent the insert from being pulled therefrom.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide aconcrete insert which is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a concrete insert of relatively shortvertical dimension.

Still another object is to provide a concrete insert which is adapted toreceive and hold threaded or unthreaded pin means.

One more object is to provide a concrete insert which is adapted toreceive and hold pin means of varying diameter.

Still another object is to provide a concrete insert which maybesecurely mounted to a form prior to pouring a concrete floor.

An additional object is to provide a concrete insert for use on wood,metal or plastic forms.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description taken in conjunction withtheaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of atypical concrete insert made according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the concrete insert of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a screw thread coupling means.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a push-nut coupling means.

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevational view of a concrete insert madeaccording to the present invention mounted on a wooden form andsurrounded by concrete.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view of a concrete insert madeaccording to the present invention disposed in the bottom portion of aconcrete floor,.and including a threaded pin and downwardly dependingconnecting means held therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring initially to FIG. 1, aconcrete insert 10 made according to the teachings of the presentinvention is disclosed. Concrete insert 10 includes a generallyrectangular body portion 12 having side portions 14 and oppositelydisposed end portions 16 and 18 (FIG. 2). Ears 20 and 22 extendoutwardly from body-portion 12 adjacent end portions 16 and 18.

Referring also to FIG. 2, it will be seen that end portions 16 and 18include openings 24 and 26 respectively, disposed centrally therein. Aswill be described more completely hereafter, openings 24 and 26 areadapted to alternatively receive and hold pin means depending downwardlyfrom a concrete ceiling in which the insert is mounted.

Insert may be formed from a pair of metal members 28 and 30 which arestamped to a substantially identical shape and include a substantiallyflat end por tion 16 or 18, a pair of substantially parallelsideportions 14 extending normally from the end portion, and a pair ofopposed cars 20 or.2 2 extending outwardly from the side portions atpoints distal from the end portion. As is best shown in FIG. 2, metalmembers 28 and 30 are shaped such that they cooperate to form concreteinsert 10.

Metal member 28 includes a pair of tabs 32 extending out from, andgenerally parallel to, side portions 14, and a pair of slots 34 in endportion 16. Metal member 30 includes similarly placed tabs 36 and slots38. In the embodiment disclosed in the drawings, metal members 28 and30'are connected together to form concrete insert 10 by disposing tabs32 through slots 38 and tabs 36 through slots 34 and then deforming thetabs as shown in. FIG. 1. It will be readily understood that members 28and 30 may be joined together by any other suitable means such aselectric spot welding.

Outwardly extending ears 20 and 22 include holes 40 and 42 respectively,which are adapted to receive fastening means for holding concrete insert10 firmly on a concrete form as will be described more completelyhereafter. As illustrated, each ear includes a pair of spaced holes, butit will be understood that asingle centrally disposed hole or any othersuitable arrangement may be substituted for this configuration. Y

Referring now to F IG. 3, opening 24 which is adapted to receive andhold a pin means is shown to be tapped to form a single thread 44. Inthis configuration,

. the concrete insert is adapted to hold threaded pin means. Referringnow to FIG. 4, opening 24 is shaped to form a stamped pressure typeopening or a so-called push-nut .46. As is well known in the art, pushnuts are adapted to receive and hold either threaded or unthreaded pinswith equal-facility, the pin being easily insertable through the nut,but very difficult to retract therefrom. I

From the above, it will be readily understood that the openings 24 and26 in the end portions of concrete insert 10. may readily be made in avariety of configurations andsizes for use with different sized threadedor unthreaded pins. For instance, in one embodiment which would becommonly used by electricians and sheet metal workers, opening 24 may beVi inch in diameter, while opening 26 is inch in diameter. Both of theseopenings may be of the screw thread or pushnut type for use withthreaded or unthreaded pin members. In another embodiment which would becommonly used by plumbers or pipe fitters, opening 24 may be )6 inch indiameter, while the diameter of opening 26 is :2 inch. Both of theseopenings may likewise be of either the screw thread or push-nut type.For holding even greater loads, it is contemplated that inserts havingend openings with diameters of even larger 'sizemay be provided. Theseopenings may also be of either the screw thread or push nut type. It isfurther contemplated that concrete inserts having end'openings 24 and 26adapted to hold pin members "of the same size, one opening being of thescrew thread typ'ewhile the other is of the push-nut type might alsobeproduced to allow the insert to be used with equal facility withthreaded or unthreaded pin means. It will be readily understood thatconcrete inserts having different combinations of end openings ofvarious sizes and shapes may be produced, including a concrete inserthaving an opening of either the screw thread or push-nut type on onlyone end.

' Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the installation and use of concreteinsert 10 will be discussed. In FIG. 5, insert 10 is shown mounted on awooden concrete form 48 by means of nails 50 extending through holes 40in ears 20. The vertical length of side members 14 may be as little as$6 inch, and thus it will be readily understood that the nailingofinsert 10 to a concrete form as shown in FIG. 5,provides a very stablemount which will not be easily displaced or overturned after it isfastened in position on the form. It metal or plastic forms are used inplace of wood forms, other suitable fastening means such as conventionalpop rivets may be substituted for nails 50; Once concrete insert 10 ismounted on the concrete forms such that either end portion 16 or 18 isheld firmly against the top surface of the form, the opening on theopposite upward facing end portion is closed to prevent concrete fromentering and filling the hollow chamber within the concrete insert. Asshown in FIG. 1, this may be simply accomplished by placing .a piece oftape 52 on the end portion such that it covers the opening therein. Itis also contemplated that suitably shaped rubber, plastic or woodenplugs may be provided to perform a like function.

Referring again to FIG. 5, when concrete floor 54 is properly poured,the concrete surrounds the concrete insert 10 such that ear portions 22act to anchor the insert therein after the concrete hardens. Ifnecessary, extra ties to concrete reinforcing rods disposed in theconcrete may be made through holes 42 in ears 22. Referring now to FIG.6, concrete insert 10 is shown after the concrete 54 has set and theform 48 has been removed. As will be seen, after form 48 is removed, end18 and adjacent. ears 20 are the only portions of concrete insert 10visible on the bottom surface of the concrete floor. The cars 20 may bebent downwardly, nails 50 removed, and the ears then bent back intoposition generally parallel the bottom surface of the concrete, or thenail points or the ears and nailsmay be cut off depending upon thefinishedsurface desired. As will be readily understood from the abovedescription, a pin meanssuch as threaded bolt56 may be disposed inopening 26 and held therein to support downwardly depending connectingmeans such as rod 58. Opening 26 may be shaped to provide an anchoringpoint for a variety of sizes of threaded or unthreaded pin 'meansadapted to'support lighting fixtures, plumbing and heat pipes, ceilingsor any other articles which it may be desired to support from an anchorpoint on the bottom surface of the concrete floor. I I In one embodimentof the present invention, metal members 28 and 30 are formed ofsheet'metal stamped to shape and then tempered to'spring'steelrequirements. If necessary the metal members may be treated to preventrust before installation. It is understood that other metals orfabrication techniques may be substituted for the above and still beconsidered to be within the broad concept of this invention.

The invention may embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit, or central characteristics thereofThe presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:' l. A concrete insert comprising: a first U-shapedmember including a base portion and two upwardly extending sideportions; said base portion extending outwardly beyond the edges of saidside portions and including slots therein; said side portions includingears extending laterally outward from the upper ends thereof and planar,parallel tabs extending upwardly from the upper ends thereof; a secondsubstantially identical U-shaped member mateable with said firstU-shaped member such that the tabs on the side portions of each of saidmembers fit into the slots in the base portions of said other U-shapedmember; and

the base portion of at least one of said U-shaped members including anopening therein, said opening including a fastening element.

2. The concrete insert of claim 1 wherein the fastening element in saidopening comprises an internal thread.

3. The concrete insert of claim 1 wherein the base portions of each ofsaid first and second U-shaped members include openings havingassociated fastening elements.

4. The concrete insert of claim 3 wherein the openings in the baseportions of said first and second U- shaped members differ in size.

5. The concrete insert of claim 3 including removable plug means closingat least one of said openings in the base portions of said U-shapedmembers.

1. A concrete insert comprising: a first U-shaped member including abase portion and two upwardly extending side portions; said base portionextending outwardly beyond the edges of said side portions and includingslots therein; said side portions including ears extending laterallyoutward from the upper ends thereof and planar, parallel tabs extendingupwardly from the upper ends thereof; a second substantially identicalU-shaped member mateable with said first U-shaped member such that thetabs on the side portions of each of said members fit into the slots inthe base portions of said other U-shaped member; and the base portion ofat least one of said U-shaped members including an opening therein, saidopening including a fastening element.
 2. The concrete insert of claim 1wherein the fastening element in said opening comprises an internalthread.
 3. The concrete insert of claim 1 wherein the base portions ofeach of said first and sEcond U-shaped members include openings havingassociated fastening elements.
 4. The concrete insert of claim 3 whereinthe openings in the base portions of said first and second U-shapedmembers differ in size.
 5. The concrete insert of claim 3 includingremovable plug means closing at least one of said openings in the baseportions of said U-shaped members.